The widow of a local Marine who died nine days ago in Afghanistan is sharing her story with WITN about her husband, hero, and father and what is ahead for her and her three-month-old baby.

Recently the Marine Corps profiled Corporal Daniel Linnabary of Hubert, and his family, as he graduated from boot camp in 2009. The 23-year-old was a third generation Marine.

Linnabary's wife Chelsea says, "I was proud of him over there. I was doing good, the baby was doing good, so everything was just moving along. So I thought I only had six more months left and when they came to our door it was a complete shock."

Chelsea, 21-years-old, says that scenario that keeps running through her head. It came only one month and three days after her husband, Corporal Daniel Linnabary , Jr. deployed. "It's kind of all a blur. All I remember is falling to the floor and I couldn't believe it. "

Now Chelsea has their three-month-old baby Rosalie to remind her of her husband. Chelsea said it was being a dad that her husband thought was going to be tougher than being a Marine. "He loved being a father. I know I'm sure like every guy is, he was really nervous being a dad and he always wanted a boy and we had a girl. I think once he held her that was it. He loved her to death."

Chelsea says as Rosalie grows up she will explain to her that her dad died a hero. "He died doing what he loved and I know he knew I would be safe here and have family support and family support for Rosalie."

Linnabary's funeral will be Thursday, August 23rd at Arlington Cemetery in Virginia at 1:00 p.m.

PREVIOUS STORY:

A Marine who grew up in Eastern Carolina, who was carrying on his family's Marine Corps tradition, has died in combat.

The Pentagon says Corporal Daniel Linnabary , Jr. of Hubert in Onslow County, died Monday, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Linnabary was assigned to the Second Tank Battalion at Camp Lejeune.

Linnabary was 23 years old and is survived by his wife, Chelsea, and daughter, Rosalie, who was born shortly before he deployed last month.

The Marine Corps profiled Linnabary and his family as he gradated from boot camp in 2009. Both his father and grandfather served in the Marine Corps. In the profile piece, Linnabary was quoted as saying, "I've been wanting to be a Marine since I was four years old."

Click the link below to read the full Marine Corps profile piece from 2009.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.